Tornado Trifold.Pub

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Department of Public Safety What does it mean? Tearing Apart Twister Myths Office of Emergency Preparedness

Severe Weather Safety Guide Tornado: A tornado is a violent, dangerous ro- Tornados can't form over mountains, lakes Tornados or large cities tating column of air that is in touch with the ground and a cloud base. Tornados Can Hit anywhere no geographic location is totally safe. Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for development with 12 hours. Issued by the Opening windows Before a tornado will equalize pressure and reduce damage. Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK. Warning: Issued when Doppler radar or spotters The time taken to open windows drasti- cally cuts down time to seek shelter, leave have indicated rotating storm or funnel cloud. them closed! PDS Watch/Warning: PDS stands for Particu-

 Highway overpasses can provide safe shel- larly Dangerous Situation and is generally at- ter on a road. tached as a rider to watch or warning state- ments when the threat is enhanced. Overpasses can act as a wind tunnel, in- creasing the wind speed underneath the Emergency: Rarely issued but used to relay an deck. extremely dangerous or destructive storm.

Enhanced Fujita Scale

(three-second wind gust - potential damage)

Be READY EF0 - 65 to 85 mph - Minor

EF1 - 86 to 110 mph - Moderate Go to ready.gov for more information on how to be EF2 - 111 to 135 mph - Considerable For the latest weather information, go to prepared. EF3 - 136 to 165 mph - Severe www.weather.gov/phi

EF4 - 166 to 200 mph - Extreme For other information and safety tips from the Montgomery County DPS, go to EF5 - Over 200 mph - Massive www.dps.montcopa.org

Last Updated: 11/2010 Give us a shout! Storm Safety Fast Facts

Contact Kevin Wagner  The strongest tornado ever recorded was in Moore, OK with an F5 re- When a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter Municipal Planning

corded at 301 mph. on the bottom floor away from windows. If in a Specialist car, do not try to outrun the storm, pull over and  Through 2005, Montgomery County find a ditch or ravine, lie down and cover your has experienced 20 tornados. (610) 631-6500 head. If you live in a mobile home, seek shelter Most Pennsylvania tornados occur [email protected]  elsewhere... in a community building or, as last from May through August, between resort, a ditch or ravine. 3PM and 7PM. Don't Forget!!

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Safety information provided by NWS/NOAA & ready.gov